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Long‐term neuroleptic therapy in chronic anorexia nervosa complicated by tardive dyskinesia: A case report
Author(s) -
Condon J. T.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1986.tb10588.x
Subject(s) - tardive dyskinesia , anorexia nervosa , dyskinesia , psychology , psychiatry , depression (economics) , anorexia , supportive psychotherapy , electroconvulsive therapy , suicidal ideation , psychotherapist , medicine , eating disorders , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , poison control , suicide prevention , disease , environmental health , parkinson's disease , economics , macroeconomics
— A patient is described with a 25‐year history of disabling, and at times life‐threatening, anorexia nervosa alternating with major depression associated with suicidal ideation. Repeated relapse occurred despite a variety of treatments until the institution of high‐dose neuroleptic therapy. On this regime, together with supportive psychotherapy, she experienced a sense of emotional well‐being, exhibited a good level of functioning and maintained a safe body weight. Multiple attempts to withdraw the medication resulted in relapse. Recently, the patient has exhibited signs of tardive dyskinesia. Possible mechanisms underlying her response to this form of treatment are discussed. The characteristics of the small subgroup of chronic anorexics, in whom the risklbenefit ratio may justify such a regime, are tentatively outlined.